The Oath (First Update)

The grim blare of a horn rolled closer, echoing through the prison's underground levels. Pure white motes drifted like falling petals, trembling in its wake.

Xia Lun narrowed his eyes. He did not rush to flee or speak. Instead, he watched the other two from the corner of his eye.

He knew too little about this world. Better to gather information than act blindly.

Renee looked just as lost. She glanced around, a flicker of unease in her blue eyes.

Knight Guiweite, however, sprang to her feet. She slapped the life-filled green orb against her head, then hefted her heavy greatsword in one hand.

"That's the horn of the Black Duke's army. His main force really has reached this area," Guiweite said grimly. "Follow me. We have to leave now."

"Is the Black Duke's army immune to light?" Xia Lun asked as he stood.

"They're Cultists, not Evil Spirits. Light won't weaken them—it'll make them stronger." The burly knight led Xia Lun and Renee up the spiral staircase at a brisk pace. "The horn came from the east, where Dusk Snow Prison's main gate is. We'll head south. There's another exit there."

"I can break through a wall and set off a delayed explosion," Xia Lun said. "We could make a disturbance to the north, then leave through the west."

"Absolutely not," Guiweite said. "That trick might work on ordinary people, but never on the Black Duke."

Her steps quickened, and so did her words.

"The Black Duke's family once served a Saint. They possess an unusual Pilgrimage route that lets each successive Black Duke cut and warp space. If he notices us, we won't get away. Our only chance is to slip out before he uses that power."

Cut and warp space?

Xia Lun mulled over the absurd-sounding claim,